Payroll & Benefits Manager

Confidential Jobs; Illinois; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Jobs is seeking a Benefits and Payroll Manager to oversee the design and administration of payroll operations and employee benefits programs. This leadership role demands someone capable of building scalable systems and managing vendor relationships while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate will possess over 7 years of experience in benefits administration and payroll management, with a proven record in strategic roles. Join us to support our rapid growth with competitive total rewards programs.

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years in benefits administration and payroll management.
• 3+ years in a leadership or strategic ownership role.
• Proven track record designing benefits programs and vendor negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Manage administration of employee benefits programs.
• Ensure compliance with payroll and benefits regulations.
• Lead annual open enrollment execution and employee support.

Skills

Benefits program design

Payroll management

Regulatory compliance

Strategic thinking

Vendor negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Finance, or related field

Advanced certifications (CEBS, CPP, etc.)

Tools

HRIS systems (Paycom, ADP, etc.)

Job description

The Benefits and Payroll Manager owns the design, administration, and governance of the firm's payroll operations and employee benefits programs. This leadership role is responsible for building scalable infrastructure, managing vendor relationships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering competitive total rewards programs that support our rapid growth. This is not a transactional processing role—it requires someone who can design efficient systems, negotiate with vendors, ensure compliance, and build processes that scale as we grow.

Key Responsibilities

Benefits Administration & Program Management

• Manage the administration of employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA, HSA, and supplemental benefits
• Support benefits strategy through plan analysis, benchmarking, and recommendations
• Evaluate plan performance, utilization, and employee feedback to identify improvement opportunities
• Assist with the development and execution of benefits initiatives aligned with company goals
• Manage relationships with benefits carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators
• Coordinate annual renewal process, including data collection, proposal review, cost modeling, and plan comparisons
• Address and resolve claims, eligibility, billing, and service issues in partnership with vendors
• Support RFPs and vendor transitions as needed

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure ongoing compliance with benefits and payroll regulations, including ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, FMLA, and wage and hour laws
• Prepare and coordinate required filings and disclosures, including Forms 5500, 1094/1095-C, SBPs, and SARs
• Partner with internal stakeholders and vendors on audits, regulatory inquiries, and documentation requests
• Monitor regulatory changes and support policy and process updates

Open Enrollment & Employee Support

• Lead annual open enrollment execution, including system configuration, employee communications, and vendor coordination
• Serve as primary point of contact for employee benefits questions and complex issue resolution
• Develop and maintain clear benefits communications and resources
• Ensure accurate enrollment, deductions, and carrier data feeds

Payroll Operations

• Manage payroll processing in a multi-state environment to ensure accurate and timely pay
• Partner with payroll vendors to resolve processing, tax, and system issues
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour regulations, including overtime, minimum wage, and final pay requirements
• Reconcile payroll and benefit deductions and partner with Finance on reporting and controls

Systems & Data Management

• Maintain HRIS and benefits administration systems, ensuring data accuracy and integration with payroll and carriers
• Run reports and audits to validate data integrity and support decision-making
• Support system enhancements, upgrades, and implementations

Team & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Provide guidance and support to benefits and payroll staff or administrators
• Partner closely with HR, Finance, and external vendors to ensure smooth operations
• Support M&A activity through benefits and payroll data collection and integration support
• Document processes and maintain standard operating procedures

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in HR, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required. Advanced certifications strongly preferred (CEBS, CPP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CBP).
• Experience: 7-10+ years in benefits administration and payroll management, with 3+ years in a leadership or strategic ownership role. Proven track record designing benefits programs, leading vendor negotiations, and managing compliance. Multi-state payroll and benefits experience required. HRIS/payroll system implementation experience (Paycom, ADP, Paychex, UKG, or similar).
• Technical Skills: Deep expertise in plan design, carrier management, ACA/ERISA/COBRA compliance, payroll tax regulations, and wage and hour law. Strong vendor negotiation and financial acumen including budgeting and cost-benefit analysis. Process design ability to build scalable systems and controls.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to design long-term benefits and payroll strategy aligned to business goals
• Regulatory Expertise: Deep knowledge of FLSA, ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, Section 125, multi-state tax compliance
• Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and drive results
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills; explains complex topics simply
• Technology Proficiency: Expert in HRIS platforms, payroll systems, benefits administration tools